Chris Davis will DH, Travis Ishikawa gets start at first vs. Tigers

Chris Davis will get a day off from playing first base in this afternoon’s series finale against the Tigers, allowing newly added Travis Ishikawa to start.

Davis, who leads the majors with 24 homers, will be the Orioles’ DH today, hitting fifth. This is the first time this season that Davis has played but not started at first.

“We have a rare off day tomorrow,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “I’d like to do it with more guys, but we have only one DH spot. … It’s one of the assets that Trav brings. It gives us some time to do [that] with Chris here and there. You won’t see it much, but usually when you have an off day I try to do it the day before to get the benefit of two because one doesn’t do much for you. … Chris has been grinding it pretty good over there.”

Showalter said he thinks he has a better grip on how his rotation will shake out for this weekend’s series in Toronto after finding out when Miguel Gonzalez plans to return to the team from being away for the first of his first child. Since you can be on the paternity list for a maximum of three days, the Orioles would have to activate Gonzalez on Friday. But Jason Hammel seems to be recovering from a stomach virus that forced him to miss his last start.

Showalter said he will announce the rotation after the game, but in all likelihood, Hammel should start Friday, Gonzalez on Saturday. Freddy Garcia, who has been available to pitch out of the 'pen the past two nights, is in line to start Sunday. Left-hander Zach Britton, who pitched well Tuesday, could also start Sunday.